Game 31, 2023-24: VCU (A10 Quarters, 3/14)

[DoctorJ]

Will NIT take losing in conference P5 teams before teams in A10 with 20 wins or more?

[WillHerndonFan]

As I said about 3-4 weeks ago in a post. The lack of a Saturday game before the tournament would hurt us by making us rusty and getting off to a slow start. I’ll also said that a double bye wouldn’t be good if we were rusty against a good team(ie VCU) Both of my fears were realized today as we looked like we hadn’t played in 8 days and we got down too much to recover against a good team in VCU. From a competitive standpoint. I blame the fucking league for this by having 15 teams in the first place, which created the the problem. The NFL doesn’t have bye weeks in the last week for a reason in order to create a level playing field for the playoffs. In addition, UMass played a cupcakes in the finAl week which didn’t help them either. In the end, the players are responsible for losing but the league doesn’t help with its scheduling and playoff format which are second rate and that is why it is a one bid league. Maybe the MAC isn’t so bad after all!

[DoctorJ]

We are all going through the phases of grief, myself included.

Let's rally around it and try to handle the things we can't control by staying positive.

Guys, we didn't suck this year - despite obstacles. We had an awesome and competitive UMass team that we usually dream of having. This season was pretty close to an early Cal type NIT team in a lot of ways.

I hope we can play more games this year, somehow. Keep the faith!

Could the U pony up the chingy to support a CBI or CIT appearance if NIT goes P5? I wonder if it would help NIL contributions and retention if we make a postseason run in another tournament?

Just an idea and I hope the AD, senior Bam Bam, takes notice. If you are upping the commitment to hoop, then you should give this team another chance to play (if they are interested). If they are hurt and toast and we don't know it, call it a season. Otherwise, this was a special team relative to recent history, and I would love to see them again this year.

Go UMass...

[TheOFFSeason]

My predictions: Cohen and Cross come back. My one concern, and this hasn’t been mentioned yet, is Diggins coming back.

Nate G 2024-2025 A10 ROY.

No information here but just from watching things it doesn’t look like Cross is coming back

[TheInsider]

Interesting.. think he is trying to cash in for his last year or just done with CBB?

[MakeMullinsGreatAgain]

My predictions: Cohen and Cross come back. My one concern, and this hasn’t been mentioned yet, is Diggins coming back.

Nate G 2024-2025 A10 ROY.

No information here but just from watching things it doesn’t look like Cross is coming back

officially worried now - you don't just say things without knowing something - I know you prefaced it by saying it was basically just your opinion, but when you say something it usually comes true.

[Juice Stand]

Just an idea and I hope the AD, senior Bam Bam, takes notice. If you are upping the commitment to hoop, then you should give this team another chance to play (if they are interested). If they are hurt and toast and we don't know it, call it a season. Otherwise, this was a special team relative to recent history, and I would love to see them again this year.

Go UMass...

I don't think they'll end up playing in any postseason tournaments. Keon is hurt, Cross has been banged up. I just don't see them taking any chances on hurting guys more for a low level tournament. Pack up your gear, take some time off to decompress, and reset for next season.

Obviously we'd love to see Cross back, but OffSeason is pretty plugged in and I wouldn't blame him if he left for a bigger opportunity. I think he could play overseas right now. The guy played his ass off for two years here, he's definitely been my favorite player since Chaz.

[DanaDingle3]

No information here but just from watching things it doesn’t look like Cross is coming back

Not sure why you think that, but it would be unfortunate. Matt would have a chance to make $, be pre-season A10 POY, play on a potentially very good team that he's familiar with, and boost his pro profile. On paper, this looks like it'd be the best situation for him.

In any event, whatever happens, I'm fairly confident Frank will improve on this season, and next season will be even better.

[69MG]

My thought has always been that if either Cross or Cohen leave, so will the other one. I hope that I am dead wrong. After seeing Off-Season's thought on Cross, I saw this tweet by Cohen and it didn't sit right with me. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but he says "this year". If he had left off that ending, I would have been much happier.

Joshua Cohen
@Josh_Cohen35
I didn’t have the words to put out a tweet yesterday. All I can say is that I am proud to be on this team this year. They picked us 13th in the league and nobody believed in us except for Umass nation. Special thanks to @TheMassCo @coachFMartin they revitalized the program. 20 W’s

[InnervisionsUMASS]

^

I think you're reading too much into his wording.

[chapter 11]

Took the kids out of school to the game. Poor parenting on my part but priorities called. Great seats. At times team played really well and my 6 yr old was driving the VCU fans near us batty which earned him extra snacks. Some VCU fans were quite classless and trashy compared to other A10 schools but most were pleasant and hey we are UMass and not exactly docile. Matt really seemed besides himself at the end and earned a place with the best of our previous warriors. As a Manhattanite I'm going to miss the A10's at Barclays. Always a great time. Also received a few "Have fun in the MAC" snickers which was deserved.

[inthescoop]

Took the kids out of school to the game. Poor parenting on my part but priorities called. Great seats. At times team played really well and my 6 yr old was driving the VCU fans near us batty which earned him extra snacks. Some VCU fans were quite classless and trashy compared to other A10 schools but most were pleasant and hey we are UMass and not exactly docile. Matt really seemed besides himself at the end and earned a place with the best of our previous warriors. As a Manhattanite I'm going to miss the A10's at Barclays. Always a great time. Also received a few "Have fun in the MAC" snickers which was deserved.

Your kids will remember that day more than any random Thursday in class.

[chapter 11]

Took the kids out of school to the game. Poor parenting on my part but priorities called. Great seats. At times team played really well and my 6 yr old was driving the VCU fans near us batty which earned him extra snacks. Some VCU fans were quite classless and trashy compared to other A10 schools but most were pleasant and hey we are UMass and not exactly docile. Matt really seemed besides himself at the end and earned a place with the best of our previous warriors. As a Manhattanite I'm going to miss the A10's at Barclays. Always a great time. Also received a few "Have fun in the MAC" snickers which was deserved.

Your kids will remember that day more than any random Thursday in class.

Good point. Although its tough that they are UMass and Jets fans. Should be illegal

[Floyd]

^

I think you're reading too much into his wording.

Agree

[Uminuteman]

Took the kids out of school to the game. Poor parenting on my part but priorities called. Great seats. At times team played really well and my 6 yr old was driving the VCU fans near us batty which earned him extra snacks. Some VCU fans were quite classless and trashy compared to other A10 schools but most were pleasant and hey we are UMass and not exactly docile. Matt really seemed besides himself at the end and earned a place with the best of our previous warriors. As a Manhattanite I'm going to miss the A10's at Barclays. Always a great time. Also received a few "Have fun in the MAC" snickers which was deserved.

Your kids will remember that day more than any random Thursday in class.

Good point. Although its tough that they are UMass and Jets fans. Should be illegal

Jets fans!?! That's poor parenting.